Roethlisberger earns college degree

OXFORD, Ohio, May 7 (UPI) -- Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is now a college graduate, having picked up his diploma from Ohio's Miami University during the weekend.

The university said the 30-year-old pro football player's wife, parents and grandmother saw him receive his bachelor's degree in education Sunday along with nearly 600 other graduates at a commencement ceremony in Oxford.

Roethlisberger said he considered it important to get his degree to emphasize the value of education.

He had left Miami University, where he played football from 2001-2003, four credits shy of a degree, a school administrator said. He completed the courses this spring.

During the nine-year gap in his education, Roethlisberger led the Steelers to two Super Bowl titles and earned tens of millions of dollars.